Historical Note & Provenance

Folk Coll 11 is Utah State University's cowboy poetry collection. The collection, originally created
by a generation donation by the L. J. and Mary Skaggs Foundation, includes books gathered
during a fieldwork project in the early 1980s to document cowboy poetry in the U.S. west (see Folk
Coll 11f). From this important fieldwork project came the impetus for the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering held in
January 1985 in Elko, Nevada. Since that time, each January, the Fife Folklore Archives staff take the collection
and Access database (that details each book, poem, author, first line and key words), to the National Cowboy Poetry
Gathering for offsite use. Through University purchases and generation donations from poets and collectors, this
collection continues to grow.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of 20 linear feet of books on cowboy poetry, including press and self published works. The collection
can be accessed through USU Libraries online catalog.

As well, poem titles and keywords found in each book in the collection are included in the database below. To use, type in the search term. Tip: Try and use an uncommon
word from the poem to ensure less "hits." For instance, if you enter "boots" you will get many hits; but if you enter "bones" you will most liley get fewer "hits" or poems and find the item you seek faster.
To return to the search page, click "home" at the bottom of the page.

A chestnut foal on tremblin legs; Is nudgin his mother's thigh, While Old Trav lolls in the stable shade; And stares with a dreamy eye.

June Bug, race tracks, horses, Texas, race horse, champion, racing

17

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

37

Carlos Ashley

The Substitute

Oh, the honor and the glory; That the football heroes get; Is well deserved -- they battle hard.

athlete

18

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

38

Carlos Ashley

Duty

If our home town needs improving, As they all most surely do, Well, that's you and you and you and me -- We need improving, too.

neighbors, friends, civic duty, pride

19

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

39

Carlos Ashley

A Sermon

I've done a lot of thinkin; On the vanity and sin; Of the things folks deem important; In this world we're living in.

religion, Christianity, education, humility, values, honesty

20

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

41

Carlos Ashley

Old Blue

I dreamt I was a kid again --The world was bright and new; Beside me lay my target-gun; And my faithful hound -- Old Blue.

dog, hound, coon, hunting

21

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

43

Carlos Ashley

Values

Oh, the glamour and the clamor; That attend affairs of state; Seem to fascinate the rabble; And impress some folks as "great."

politics

22

That Spotted Sow & Other Hill Country Ballads

FC 11 A-03

44

Carlos Ashley

Blacksnake Bill

When the shadows of the evenin softly stroll across the hills, And the fever of the busy day is done; When the flamin fires of sunset quietly smolder into night, And the stars report for duty, one by one.